Fall is a season of changing leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and, for many, pumpkin spice.
66% of consumers say pumpkin spice brings back warm, fuzzy feelings each year.
You may think the pumpkin spice craze began with Starbucks, but this flavor has been associated with fall for centuries.
The average pumpkin spice blend consists of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.
Early American settlersdidn't use the blend like we do today, but the same ingredients were used to preserve fall harvests of meat, fruit, and vegetables.
That was until 1796, when Amelia Simmons penned a recipe using the spices in the first American cookbook.
Decades later,McCormick bottled it upand made it official with the name "Pumpkin Pie Spice."
It was an easy way to get all of the spices you needed for pumpkin pie in one shake.
Though, surprisingly, there's no actual pumpkin involved.
By the early 1990s, the blend had made its way into people's coffees.
But it was, you guessed it, Starbucks that was first to capitalize on the brew, adding the pumpkin spice latte to its list of seasonal drinks.
Peter Dukes, a Starbucks employee credited with the idea, pitched the combination in 2003, and the company has sold more than 420 million cups in the U.S. since.
So, why are people hooked on pumpkin spice anything?
Well, it's mainly the smell.
Johns Hopkins University researchers say smells have the power to evoke memories.
"We often long for the arrival of fall at the end of a hot summer, and our sense of smell can summon up the season early," the researchers said.
They say even reading the words pumpkin spice can spark cozy, fall feelings.
A feeling so sweet, folks, will pay for it all year long.
Nielson and Forbesdocked the pumpkin spice product market at $608 million in 2018. That's $300 million in growth from 2015.
Starbucks may have opened the floodgates in 2003, but the surplus of cookies, bread, drinks, and candles is all a clear sign that pumpkin spice is here to stay.
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FAQs
The origin of pumpkin spice dates back to the Dutch East India Company. The ingredients that make up pumpkin spice—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice—are native to Southeast Asian islands. This spice was discovered on a few island groups as well as ancient pottery shards in Indonesia.
What is the story of pumpkin spice? ›
Pumpkin spice is typically a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. The first known mention of the blend dates to The Compleat Cook, a 1671 English cookbook that likely inspired America's early pumpkin recipes.
What is the violent history of pumpkin spice? ›
The report, titled “Fall's Favorite Spice Blend has a Violent History,” examined the Dutch's 1621 invasion of the Banda Islands, located in modern-day Indonesia. “Thousands were killed, others enslaved, and many who fled to the mountains were starved out,” read the piece published Oct. 6.
What is the significance of pumpkin spice? ›
After all, pumpkin spice is more than just a spice blend used in drinks and desserts. It's a symbol of fall and all the joy that comes with the season: leaves falling from trees, the cooler weather, and the impending holidays.
What is the history of pumpkin spice every fall? ›
The origin of this unique spice mixture goes back to the times of the Dutch East India Company. The original pumpkin spice composition had cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. These were first found in Southeast Asia, namely in a few island groups as well as ancient pottery shards in Indonesia.
What is the backstory of pumpkin? ›
History of the Pumpkin
The seeds from which pumpkins evolved are believed to originate from North America. The word pumpkin originated from the Greek word “pepon” which means large melon. The word gradually morphed through multiple languages until it turned into “pumpkin” by American colonists.
What is a fun fact about pumpkin spice? ›
In 1675 the first recipe to call for the mix of pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon known today as pumpkin spice was used. The four spices can also be combined with ginger and all spice depending on where you live. A company known to prepackage these spices in a handy shaker started doing so in the late 1930's.
What WTF is pumpkin spice? ›
Pumpkin spice, also known as pumpkin pie spice, is a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Some pumpkin spice mixes might leave out a spice or two, but most consist of at least two or three of the spices listed above.
Why do people go crazy for pumpkin spice? ›
Scarcity, flavor, and nostalgia equal obsession.
People's obsession with pumpkin spice is an intriguing psychological occurrence. The taste of pumpkin spice may be desirable due to its scarcity, as it's only available during the fall. In addition to flavor and taste, pumpkin spice can also create nostalgia.
Why is it called pumpkin spice if there is no pumpkin? ›
Does pumpkin spice contain pumpkin? It's called pumpkin spice not because it has pumpkin in it but because it's the spice mixture traditionally used to flavor pumpkin pie and other pumpkin-based baked goods (which is why it's also sometimes called pumpkin pie spice).
Incorporating pumpkin spice into your diet not only indulges your taste buds in the warm and comforting flavors of fall but also offers a range of potential health benefits. From its antioxidant-rich components to its anti-inflammatory properties, pumpkin spice can contribute to overall well-being.
Why do people put pumpkin spice in everything? ›
Therefore, people are more likely to associate fall flavors with joyful memories (much like how people enjoy hot chocolate and eggnog at Christmas time). People associate the fall season with ultimate warmth and coziness, with pumpkin flavoring an added bonus to the overall feeling of snugness.
What makes pumpkin spice so popular? ›
So why do we love this particular flavor so much? Turns out, we love to be reminded of fall and the warm feelings of family, home and nostalgia the season brings — and our brains associate those warm feelings with this particular flavor, psychologists and researchers say.
When did pumpkin spice become a trend? ›
The late 90s would see pumpkin spice finally reach the coffee world with a number of vendors selling flavored beans to great popularity. However, 2003 was the transformative year.
What does pumpkin spice season mean? ›
Every year around early September is the unofficial start of “pumpkin season.” You know, the time when brands trot out pumpkin-flavored everything, from desserts to hummus to yogurt to coffee to, I kid you not – pumpkin scented trash bags.
Is pumpkin spice a real spice? ›
Pumpkin spice (a.k.a. pumpkin pie spice) is an aromatic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Sometimes allspice is included. You can buy the spice blend at the store or use ingredients you already have on hand to make DIY pumpkin spice.
What is the biblical pumpkin story? ›
READ 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” SAY: We created a new pumpkin by cleaning out the yucky insides and carving a happy face. This is a new creation, a jack-o-lantern, with a joy-filled face. Jesus does that with us.
What is the history of pumpkin pie spice? ›
Eventually, the first official recipe for pumpkin spice surfaced in 1796 when a woman named Amelia Simmons created the recipe and released it in the first American cookbook calling it "Pumpkin Pie Spice."
What is the story of the great pumpkin? ›
According to Linus van Pelt, the Great Pumpkin is a legendary personality who rises from the pumpkin patch on Halloween carrying a large bag of toys to deliver to believing children. Linus continues to maintain faith in the Great Pumpkin, despite his friends' mockery and disbelief.
